Soccer-Kerr returns as Australia down Danes to reach quarters

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Group B - Canada v Australia - Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia - July 31, 2023 Australia's Sam Kerr celebrates after the match REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Co-hosts Australia welcomed captain Sam Kerr to the fray for the first time in the tournament as they beat Denmark 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup at Stadium Australia on Monday.

Forwards Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso scored the goals either side of halftime before Kerr, who has been absent with a calf injury, came on as a 78th-minute substitute to the biggest roar of the night from the crowd of 75,784.